International Copyright Protection

On June 3 and 4, the Hong Kong Customs and Excise Department raided seven photocopy shops in five areas of the city upon complaint by the Hong Kong Reprographic Rights Licensing Society (HKRRLS), in collaboration with AAP.  Customs officers seized 104 infringing photocopies, mainly of university text books and reference books, as well as six photocopy machines and five binding machines, totaling HK $75,000 (approximately US$9350).  The six shop owners and one salesperson were arrested. For more information please, see the Raid Press Release.

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On October 10th, 2008, the Hong Kong Customs & Excise Department concluded two-weeks of successful enforcement activities. Following thorough investigations, authorities raided  six photocopy shops in six Hong Kong territories (Shau Kei Wan, Quarry Bay, To Kwa Wan, Sham Shui Po, Tseung Kwan O and Tin Shui Wai), resulting in the seizure of 174 infringing photocopies of secondary school and university textbooks as well as reference books. In addition, six copy and six binding machines were confiscated, which are worth about USD$10,000. During the raid Customs officials also arrested the six shop owners and two of their assistants, who are currently on bail pending further investigations.

AAP is pleased to note that in the past few years, Customs have increasingly taken a conscious effort to warn photocopy shops about the ramifications of pirating activities, which under the law carries a maximum penalty of about USD$6,700 fine per illegal copy and 4 years of prison. Furthermore, to strenghten enforcement of the Copyright Ordinance, authorities joined with AAP-affiliated rights holder groups in offering rewards to the public who provides information about illegal photocopying businesses. For more information please, see the Raid Press Release.